In 2015, there were 12 240 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled in Australian universities. Although consistent progress is evident in student enrolments over the past 10 years—between 2008 and 2015, enrolments increased by 74% (Universities Australia, 2017)—a significant disparity remains between Indigenous and non-Indigenous student enrolments. The final report on Accelerating Indigenous Higher Education was commissioned by the Department of Education and Training (DET) in collaboration with the National and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium (NATSIHEC) Aboriginal Corporation (AC) to review the higher education sector imperative to introduce whole-of-university approaches to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander higher education; increase the Indigenous academic workforce; and increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines and professions. The Review of Higher Education Access and Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: Final Report (Behrendt Review), led by Indigenous Professor Larissa Behrendt, was completed in 2012. The Behrendt Review provided a comprehensive study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander higher education in Australia and submitted 35 recommendations. It also revealed many issues and challenges impacting the access and participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Australian higher education and focused recommendations on building professional pathways and responding to community need, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and research in curriculum and practice, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, and driving change to university culture and sector governance to make Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander higher education outcomes a shared responsibility. These recommendations have influenced policy development across the sector and complemented existing policy, such as the National Indigenous Higher Education Workforce Strategy and Universities Australia Indigenous Cultural Competency Framework. While these are positive signs, they continue to represent the exception rather than the rule. Since 2012, universities and the Australian Government have made progress in adopting the recommendations from the Behrendt Review. However, this progress has been ad hoc and continues to rely on Indigenous staff doing most of the ‘heavy lifting’ to improve all outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander higher education. If this is the case, what does it mean for implementing a whole-of-university approach? Moreover, the gap between institutional intent and action inevitably prompts questions on the effectiveness of Indigenous governance and leadership within universities. Finally, racism continues to exist within the academy—as reported by survey and site-visit respondents—and most likely underpins the findings within this report. The final report on Accelerating Indigenous Higher Education outlines recommendations to: • implement high-level policies, processes and strategies within government and university structures • adopt effective leadership models, accountabilities and responsibilities 13 • recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique knowledges and lived experiences that contribute to the cultural, intellectual and social capital of higher education • access appropriate resources and funding • develop evaluation and quality control systems for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander higher education and research • ensure reciprocal and respectful relationships between universities, governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples • develop effective targeted programs that are championed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and implemented based on evidence and good practice. The launch of Universities Australia’s Indigenous Strategy 2017–2020 in March 2017 represented the first comprehensive national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander higher education strategy endorsed by universities across Australia and NATSIHEC (AC). Together, NATSIHEC (AC), the DET, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Universities Australia are committed to accelerating higher education outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, staff and communities, now and well into the future.